Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Watching the torrid April performance of one Manuel Aristides Ramirez, I’ve realized what a wonderful motivational tool the contract year is.

Before you go reading this as a typical Manny media rip job, be advised that #24 in your Red Sox media guide could not have a bigger supporter in the fourth estate than yours truly. I firmly believe Ramirez is the best right-handed hitter of my lifetime (Alex Rodriguez may have something to say about that someday). I also firmly believe David Ortiz owes a good chunk of his success to the man who has his back in Boston’s batting order. Remember, Manny was a Hall of Fame caliber hitter long before Big Papi became a citizen of Red Sox nation. The same can’t be said of the inverse.

I’ve even defended Ramirez when he’s taken his annual sabbatical. Think of all the great power hitters generally mentioned in the “best of this era” discussion. Other than A-Rod, most of them become 1B/DH types long before they’ve reached Ramirez’ age, which will be 36 on May 30th. There’s a reason Ken Griffey continues to break down. Had Junior shifted to first base or DH before the rigors of the outfield took their toll on his body (or had he taken the shortcuts so many others took), we might not have had to suffer the indignity of Barry Bonds as Major League Baseball’s all-time home run king. So if Manny Ramirez needs a few days here and there to recharge the batteries, I’m not going to rip him for it, and neither should you. Unless you’re prepared to ask David Ortiz to play the field while Manny DH’s a fair chunk of the year.

All that said, one can only wonder how astounding Ramirez’ career numbers might be today had he played under a one year contract these last five years. Not that he’s been terrible, mind you. He’s still a first ballot Hall of Famer. (He is Chaz, isn’t he?) But by his lofty standards, Manny has been a bit pedestrian the last few regular seasons, especially in April.

So why such a great start to 2008? Well, the only thing I see different is the approach to spring training and the offseason. We’ve always heard how tireless a worker Manny is in the batting cages from the time he arrives in Fort Myers. Problem is he never really arrives with the rest of his teammates, at least not until this year when he “not so coincidentally” has a pair of $20-million dollar contract options he’s hoping the Sox pick up.

And by all reports, Money…I mean Manny…also spent his winter training like a madman. Rather than washing and waxing luxury cars for auto shows, Ramirez spent the off months preparing to put on batting practice shows. No wonder he’d already blasted six home runs in ’08 by the same date he’d cracked his first of ’07.

So it’s with a bit of disappointment that I root on one of my favorite Red Sox players of all-time, wondering what might have been. I realize superstars playing for a contract every season of their careers is a dream world only NFL general managers get to live in. But Theo Epstein might want to pick up only the ’09 option on Manny’s contract, leaving Ramirez another January and February offseason to hone his sweet swing and work to keep his body from failing in his time of need. The proof is in the stats pudding.

The New Testament preaches that “love of money is the root of all evil.” It’s apparently also the root of all MVP seasons.

What are your thoughts on Manny Ramirez' fast start to the 2008 season? Is money or professional pride the motivating factor? Should he be given another multi-year contract or be made to play out his extensions one year at a time?